The challenge of educating urban students within the context of poverty, trauma, abuse and other socio-economic factors that contribute to students’ lives can be overwhelming and seemingly impossible for urban educators. Research from the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) studies demonstrates, however, that urban students are at significantly higher risks for negative health factors as adults because they lack resiliency fostered in safe, loving environments.
Eric Jensen, author of “Teaching with Poverty in Mind,” summarizes: “Every year, millions of unloved and traumatized youth enter adulthood with damaged brains and hearts. They are highly predisposed to die from self-destructive behaviors, and highly likely to continue the cycle of abuse.”
Hopelessness is powerful. It insists that urban schools cannot be reformed. City schools, and the communities they represent, are racked with high dropout rates, low student attendance, senseless violence, and economic and racial segregation. Research confirms that urban schools are swarming with traumatized kids.
[For more of this story, written by Aaron J. Anderson, go to http://www.ydr.com/story/opini...ion-column/99202358/]
Comments (0)